My Sunday Book Review for an author who I’ve become quite fond of her books – Valerie Keogh’s – The Wives. A story of four good friends who all have secrets about the same man. And a murder.
Blurb:
When Natasha meets Daniel, she knows her life is made. Rich, handsome and charming, Daniel will make the perfect husband. Even if she won’t make the perfect wife…
She is thrilled when Daniel suggests an all-expenses paid cruise for Natasha, her friends, Barbara, Tracy Ann and Michelle, and their husbands. What better way to show everyone that Natasha has finally made it?
But as the ship sets sail, she learns that far from being the perfect husband, Daniel has terrible secrets that are about to be revealed. And each of the wives has their own reasons for wanting him dead.
This trip might cost more than any of them ever imagined…
A gripping new story from the psych thriller queen that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Perfect for fans of Frieda McFadden, J.A. Baker and Sue Watson.
My 5 Star Review:
Nurse Natasha meets self-made, wealthy Daniel at an art exhibit, and the two move quickly into a relationship, although Natasha knows well that Daniel isn’t the perfect man and enjoys having arm candy alongside him. But Natasha doesn’t hesitate to move in with him, and soon marries him, despite no words of love spoken.
Natasha’s besties are all married, and despite Natasha’s desires to not have kids, wonders if that can be her fate too, which would certainly aid her tight financial crunch. Even though Daniel presents her with a pre-nup, Natasha figures if she produces a child or two, she’d no longer have to worry about the pre-nup, but as she discovers later through her friend Barb – a medical secretary, Daniel has been very deceptive with her.
Daniel is an independent financial advisor who knows well how to slime his clients and extort money from them. A few months after their marriage, Daniel offers to take Natasha and her besties – Barbara, Tracy Ann, and Michele, and their spouses on a week-long cruise to Zanzibar. And the story unfolds about who Daniel really is. The friends are all hesitant to go on the cruise because they’ve all been touched by Daniel’s deception, and Natasha is surprised they weren’t gungho to go. As they embark on the cruise, we’ll learn each of them have a secret about Daniel, and the secrets and lies become apparent to everyone in their own time of discoveries. It seems everyone is harboring a deception about Daniel.
It didn’t take Daniel long to ensnare everyone into his slimey dealings, as the dirty dealings began before the cruise set off, offering Michele’s accountant husband, Don, a tempting financial gain that would loom over him and potentially ruin his career, leaving Michele reeling with a plan of revenge. He has also seduced his wife’s own friend. Tracy Ann is being blackmailed by Daniel after falling into a seductive trap, and Barbara has the goods on Daniel, which she happily shares with Natasha. Once Natasha learns about Daniel’s deception, she decides to ride out the cruise without letting him know what she knows so she can put her own plan into action. But suddenly after a day’s excursion offshore, Daniel began to get sick. Barely able to make it back to their cabin, the ship’s doctor did tests to rule out Norovirus and Cholera.
And as the investigation to Daniel’s demise continues, the four women discover what each knows about Daniel and claim their innocence to one another. Only, one of the women admits her hand in the event.
As the the last few chapters unfold, the conversations and twists are wild with whodunit. Right down to the very last paragraph, where we are left with a new possible murderer where diabolical plans are laid out. A questionable, yet satisfying ending with a little surprise tucked in nicely.
Four best friends all harboring secrets, lies and deception, and one common denominator – Daniel. Another great women’s fictional thriller from an author I’ve come to enjoy.
©DGKaye2025
DGKayewriter.com 
